Follow Us!

Remember back in the 1980s when Willard Scott celebrated the 100th birthday of some American during his “Today” show weather report? We’d see a snapshot and marvel how that old bird lived so long. The “secrets-of-longevity” advice could be a shot of bourbon every night or rumba dancing. It became a pop-culture television phenomenon.

Today, you’d need a telethon to keep up with all the centenarians. There are currently about 71,000 living in the U.S., and the number is growing by leaps and shuffles. Great genes always help, but the miracles of modern medicine are going to keep baby boomers alive and kicking longer than expected. Even those at the early cusp (generally regarded as 1946) have a good shot at 100; for those at the end of the boomer cycle (1964), you’ve got a lot of time on your hands.